Bricklaying machine



F. C. LAYER Du. 3Q, 3931).

BRICKLAYING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet l Dec. 3Q, 1931 Fc. LAYER 1,786,622

BRICKLAYING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 2 Dec. 3% 1930.F c, LAYER 1,786,622

BRICKLAYING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 3 II? l/emforDec. 3 0), 39%, F. c. LAYER BRICKLAYING MACHINE Filed March 6, 1929 7$heets-Sheet v i w w m Ii71/eMif0r P MIN M J fitter-Hey F. C. LAYER Bee,3Q, 1934) BRICKLAYING/MACHINE 6, 1929 7 Sheets- 51196 5 6 Filed March orW; b

Jim/en H z forney F. C. LAYER Dec. 3 1), 1936).

BRI CKLAYI NG MACHI NE 6, 1929 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7 Filed March WWTPatented Dec. 30, 1930 UNITED STATES FRANK C. LAYER, F ALGONQUIN,ILLINOIS BRICKLAYING MACHINE Application filed March 6, 1929. Serial No.344,725.

My present invention relates to apparatus for laying brick, and moreparticularly to an improved brick laying machine.

My present invention is designed to lay brick in a wall or in piers, andto dispense with the great percentage of manual labor at.

present necessary to successfully operate existing machines of thischaracter. In my 1mproved machine I am able to lay brick in courses in awall or in piers and when a wall is being laid, the machineautomatically lays header courses atproper intervals in the height ofthe wall. Also, my machine is adapted to provide for openings in a wall,as for example, openings necessary to insert windows or doors, assumingthat the Wall is to be a wall of a house. Also, in my improved machinethe mortar is fed at a predetermined rate in advance of the laying ofthe brick and each course of brick is laid throughout the width of theWall simultaneously, so that there is but one laying operation necessaryfor each course of brick regardless of the width of the wall. Further,the machine is selfcontained and may be moved along the length of thewall whenever desired and the actual brick laying devices are carried bya vertically adjustable platform to which the brick and mortar are fedsimultaneously. 3U The object of my invention, therefore, is an improvedbrick laying machine. I

In the accompanying drawings illustrating a preferred embodiment ofmyinvention;

Fig. 1 is a side elevation; Fig. 2 is a section on the line 22 lookingin the direction of the arrows;

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 33 of Fig. 1 looking in the direction ofthe arrows;

Fig. 4 is a sectional plan view on the line 4-4 of Fig-1; Fig. 5 is aside elevation of Fig. 4; Fig. 6 is a section on the line 66 of Fig. 2;Fig. 7 is a section on the line 7'7 of Fig. 4; Fig. 8 is a perspectiveview of a portionof the general brick slide;

Fig. 9 is a section on the line 9-9 of Fig. 8; Fig. 10 is a plan view ofa portion of the horizontal chain conveyor. I

Fig. 11 is a section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 10;

Fig. 12 is a section on the line 12-12 of Fig. 5; and

Fig. 13 is a circuit diagram of the controlling motors.

Referring to the drawings, 10 designates a plurality of beams arrangedparallel to and spaced apart from each other. Secure to the top surfaceof the beams 10 at suitable intervals along the length of such beams 10and arranged parallel to each other are cross beams 11 and such beams 10and 11 may be of wood or any other suitable material. Secured to the topsurface of the beams 11 adjacent to one end thereof so as to besubstantially over one of the lengthwise beams 10 is a channel plate 12,this plate 12 being substantially equal to the length of the beams 10.Secured to the channel plate 12 along the length thereof are pairs ofupright channel beams 13 arranged as shown in Fig. 2 for example, therebeing a pair of such channel beams 13 for each of the transverse beams11. The top ends of the pairs of channel beams 13 are secured to achannel beam 14 of dimensions similar to the channel plate 12. Securedto the outside of the channel beams 13 at the upper end thereof areplates 15, as clearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3. Secured to each pair ofchannel beams 13 adjacent to the top thereof and on each side thereofisa T-member 16, and each of these T-members 16 extend downwardly at anangle to the channel beams 13 and are secured by bolts 17 to the outerend of the beams 11. On the outermost channel beam 13 of each pair ofchannel beams 13 and on the inner face of such outer beam is secured avertically arranged rack 18, for a purpose to be hereinafter described.On each side of each pair of channel beams 13 is arranged a plate 19 andto each of said plates at one edge thereof are secured angle irons 20.Secured to each of the angle members 20 and, therefore, to the plates 19are spaced plates 21, the plates 21 and 19 forming a unit. Some of theplates 19 have formed integral therewith and extending laterally outwardtherefrom extensions 22, on which is built a platform composed of theboards 23. The plates 19 are provided with hearings in alinement witheach other and in which bearings is rotatably mounted a shaft 24 and tothis shaft 24 at intervals along the length thereof are secured pinions25, which mesh with the racks 18- referred to moves upward or downwardon such channel beams. At the upward end of each pair of ohannel beams13 and secured to the channel beam 14 are bearing blocks 28, that are inalinement with each other and in such bearing blocks is rotatablymounted a shaft 29. To the shaft 29 adjacent to and on each side of eachof the pillow blocks 28 are arranged drums 30. On each of the T-members16 adjacent the lower end thereof are arranged pillow blocks 31 inalinement with each other and in such pillow blocks is rotatably mounteda horizontally disposed shaft 32. This shaft 32 is provided with aplurality of drums 33, such drums being equal in 1 number to the drumson the shafts 29 and 30$ the drums 33 and 30 are in alinement with eachother. Secured to each of the drums 33 is one end of a wire cable 34,such wire cables passing over the drums 30 and extending downwardly, andthe other end of each of such cables 34 is attached to an eye 35 formedin a strap 36 secured to the shafts 24 and 26. Secured to the shaft 32intermediate its ends is a worm wheel 37 which meshes with and is drivenby a worm 38 secured to the drive shaft of a motor 39. This motor issecured to a platform 40 extending between two of the transverse beams11. Power for operating the motor 39 is taken from the power conductors41 and 42 leading to any suitable source of power. The conductors 41 and42 are connected by conductors 43 and 44 respectively to the switchcontacts 45 and 46 of a switch 47. Switch blades 48 and 49 are adaptedto engage with the switch contacts 45 and 46 respectively. The switchblade 48 is connected by conductor 50 to a conducting post 51 centrallymounted on a switchboard 52. Rotatably mounted on the post 51 is aswitch arm 53 adapted to engage with an arcuate contact plate 54. Thearcuate plate 54 is connected by conductor 55 to a binding post 56 onthe switchboard 52. Connecting the binding post 56 and one end of theenergizing winding of the motor 39 is a conductor 57, the other end ofthe energizing winding of the motor 39 being connected by conductor 58to a return wire 59 that leads back and is connected to the switchblade'49. It is obvious, therefore, that by rotating the switch arm 53on the post 51 and bringing the same into engagement with the arcuateplate 54 that a circuit will be completed for the motor 39 and willcause rotation of the armature and main shaft thereof in a givendirection. Also mounted on the switchboar 52 is a switch 60, the contact61 of which is connected by conductor 62 to the conductor 50, and theswitch blade 63 of which is connected by conductor 64 to a secondenergizing winding (not shown) for the motor 39. This secondenergizingwinding is also connected by conductor 58 to a conductor 59. Therefore,with the blade 53 in the position shown in Fig. 13, that is, with themotor 39 stopped, the operator may, by connecting the switch blade 63with the contact 61 cause a rotativemovement of the armature and drivingshaft of the motor 39 in a direction reverse to that above described. Bymeans, therefore, of the switch blade 53 or the switch blade 63, themotor 39 may have its drive shaft rotatable in either direction at will.The operator may, therefore, by such means of control cause a raising orlowering of the framework comprised of the members 19 and 21, the shaft24 and gears 25 in co-operation with the rack 18, insuring that suchframework will be held in a horizontal plane regardless of the height towhich it may be raised or lowered.

' Formed at the upper end of each of the members 19 and on the outerface of such members are horizontal transversely extending guideways 65and in each of such guideways is slidably mounted a rectangular plate66. To each of such slidable plates 66 is secured on its outer face anangle iron 67, and secured to such angle iron 67 and extendingdownwardly therefrom is a plate 68. Secured to the inner face of each ofthe downwardly extending plates 68 and parallel to the plates 21 areplates 69 and 70. Secured to the inner face of the plate 70 and theinner face of the lower plate 21 and extending along the length thereof,while in horizontal alinement with each other, are track members 7 2.There tracks 72 form a runway for a carriage composed of a rectangularframework 73 brought together at one end, as indicated at 74, and towhich end is secured one end of a cable 75, that has its end secured toand is capable of being wound on a drum 76 secured to a shaft 77rotatably mounted in suitable bearings secured to the right hand endpair of beams 13. Secured to the shaft 77 is a sprocket 78 in alinementwith a similar sprocket (not shown) secured to the drive shaft of amotor 79, and the shaft 77 is driven by a chain 80 from the motor 79.Rotatably mounted in suitable bearings on the rectangular frame 74 areparallelly arranged shafts 82 and 83, and on such shafts and on each endthereof are secured grooved wheels 85, which engage with and roll on thetracks 72. which is adapted to engage with the upper IOU On the shaft 82is mounted a roller 86 edge or surface of the bricks 87, as will behereinafter described, Secured to the rear end of the rectangular frame73 by bolts 88 is a framework 89 and in this framework is rotatablymounted a shaft 90 similar to and parallel with the shafts 82 and 83.

. shown in detail in Figs. 10 and 11 and comprises the chains 95 abovereferred to, which chains are connected together and spaced apart bytransverse plates 96. On the shaft is mounted a drum 97 provided at eachend with sprocket wheels 98 which likewise engage with the sprocketchains above referred to. Rotatably mounted in the frame 89 is a roll 99and over which the chain conveyor composed of the members 95 and 96runs, as indicated for example in Fig. 7. This chain conveyor and themeans by which the same is driven and operated will be described more indetail hereinafter. The drum 93 is at the delivery end of the chainconveyor above referred to and associated with this delivery end is asloping deck 100 and along which the bricks 87 slide, passing under theroller 86 above referred to. Associated with the sloping deck 100 and atthe delivery end thereof is a clamp 101 which may be operated eithermanually or automatically as may be desired, the purpose being to clampthe bricks 87 thereon to prevent bricks from coasting off the deck 100under certain conditions which will be hereinafter described.

The motor 79 is connected by conductor 102 to a terminal 103 on theswitchboard 52 and over such terminal 103, by conductor 104, to anarcuate contact plate 105, which arcuate plate is adapted to be engagedby the switch blade 53 in the rotation thereof about the post 51. Alsothe motor 59 is connected by conductor 106 to the conductor 59 abovereferred to as extending to the switch blade 49. It is obvious.therefore, that as the switch blade 53 is rotated about the post 51,such blade will be brought into engagement with the arcuate .plate 105,closing, therefore, an energizing circuit for the motor 79 at the willof the operator and such energization of the motor 79 will cause amovement of the rectangular frame 73 to the right, as shown in Figs. 1and 6 for example.

Adjacent the left hand pair of spaced beams 13 and on the verticallymovable framework above referred to is mounted a motor 107 on the driveshaft 108 on which is secured a sprocket pinion 109. This sprocketpinion 109 is in alinement with the sprocket 110 secured to the shaft111 rotatably mounted in suitable bearings mounted on the frameworkcomposed of the members 19 and 21 above referred to. Over the sprocketpinion 109 and sprocket 110 runs a sprocket chain 112 and by means ofwhich power is transmitted from the motor shaft108 to the shaft 111. Onthe shaft 111 is mounted a drum 113 provided at each end with sprockets114 that engage with the sprocket chains 95. Rotatably mounted in theframework above referred to and parallel with the shaft 111 is a shaft115 and on this shaft is a drum 116 and over which the conveyor chain,composed of the members 95 and 96, runs as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and7. Also rotatably mounted in the framework above referred to is a shaft117 that carries a drum 118. At each end of the drum 118 is located asprocket wheel 119 for engaging the sprocket chain 95. Rotatably mountedin the framework and parallel to the shaft 117 is a shaft 120 carrying adrum 121 and over which runs the conveyor composed of the members 95 and96, as clearly shown in Figs. 6 and 7. At one end of the shaft 117 issecured a ratchet 131 adapted to be engaged by a pawl 122 mounted on alever 123 that is pivotally mounted at 124. Pivotally secured to theupper or free end of the lever 123 is a connecting rod 125 that ispivotally attached to an operating lever 126. The operating lever 126 isconveniently located within reach of the operator of the machine and theratchet and pawl 131 and 122 respectively are for a purpose to behereinafter described. The motor 107 has one end of its energizingwinding connected by conductor 132 to the return lead 59 that extends tothe switch blade 49. The other end of the energizing winding isconnected by conductor 133 to binding post 134 on the switchboard 52 andthis binding post 134 is connected by conductor 135 to the arcuatecontact plate 136, which plate is adapted to be engaged by switch arm53% the same is rotated about the shaft 51, bringing the switch arm 53into association with the arcuate contact plate 136. This will close anenergizing circuit for the motor 107 from conductor 41, conductor 43,switch blade 48, conductor 50, post 51, switch arm 53, arcuate plate136, conductor 135, conductor 134, energizing winding of the motor 107,conductor 132, conductor 59, switch blade 49, conductor 44, and toconductor 42. This circuit will cause the drive shaft 108 of the motor107 to rotate in a clockwise direction for example. Also associated withand forming part of the motor 107 is an energizing winding to one end ofwhich is connected the conductor 132. The other end of this what may becalled a reverse winding is connected by conductor 137 to binding post138 and the binding post assume that the arm 53 has closed the circuit'for the energizing winding of the motor 107 by engaging with the arcuateplate 136, that such circuit will be broken when the arm 53 rides oifthe end of such plate 136 and that when the arm 53 is moved onto thearcuate contact plate 40, an energizing circuit will be closed throughwhat may be called the reverse winding of the motor 107 through theconductor 137 and, therefore, the drive shaft 108 of such motor willrotate in the reverse direction, or for example, in a counter-clockwisedirection. This mechanism, therefore, makes it possible for an operatorto move the upper reach of the chain conveyor, composed of the sprocketchains 95 and transverse plates 96, either to the right or to the left,as viewed, for example, in Fig. 6.

When the rectangular framework 73 with all parts associated therewithhas been moved to the extreme right hand position, or in the positionshown in Fig. 6, it is obvious that the upper reach of the chainconveyor will be of considerable length and if a load of brick 87 wereplaced thereon that such upper reach would sag considerably as it isonly supported on therolls 93 and 118. To prevent such an occurrence Ihave arranged along the lengths of the framework composed of the members19, 21, 69 and 70 a plurality of pairs of vertically arranged bars 145,such bars being secured to the inner faces of the upper one of the plate21 and the upper part of the plate 69. The pairs of bars 145 areprovided adjacent their top end with slots 146 and at their lower endwith corresponding slots 147. In the slots 146 and 147 fit the ends ofshafts 148 on which are mounted rollers 149. The slots 146 are utilizedas means for housing the shafts 148 and associated rollers 149 when notin use, while the slots 147 are utilized when it is desired to place therolls 149 on the shafts 148 into association with the under face of theupper reach of the chain conveyors composed of the sprocket chains 95,and the transverse plates 96. Therefore, as the rectangular frame 73 ismoved from the position shown, for example, in Fig. 7 to that shown inFig. 6, the operator will remove the roll 149 and associated shaft 148from the slots 146 and will deposit the same in the slots 147 at thelower end of the bars 145, and conversely as the framework 73 moves fromthe position shown in Fig. 6 to that shown, for example, in Fig. 7, anoperator will remove the rolls 149 from the lower slots 146 and willplace such rolls and associated shaft 148 in the slots 146 at the upperend of the bars 145. At the left-hand end of the channel beam 14 andside plates 15, as viewed in Fig. 1 and on the top thereof but spacedapart from each other, are secured alined bearings 150 and in suchbeartherefore, rotates in synchronism with the shaft 29 and also withthe shaft 32. The conveyor chains 152 are spaced apart from each otherby being secured to the opposite sides of transversely extending plates155, as clearly shown in Fig. 8, and the outer ends of such plates 155are provided with upstanding side plates 156, the side plates 156therefore defining the width of the conveyor. On each transverse plate155 is pivotally attached spaced plates 157 which may be moved from thefull position shown in Fig. 9, for example, to the dotted position shownin such figure, this being desirable when header courses are to be builtin the wall. The operation of this device will be hereinafter described.One end of the chain conveyor above described is secured to atransversely arranged shaft 158 extending between the plates 69 and theupper plate 21. The other end of the chain conveyor is left free, asshown in Fig. 6, and this free end is long enough to allow thehorizontally arranged frame, composed of the members 19, 21 and 69, tobe moved into its extreme downward position without the sprocket chains152 becoming disengaged from the sprockets on the shaft 151. As thehorizontally arranged frame composed of the members 19, 21 and 69 ismoved upwardly, the shaft 151 will be rotated to take up the slack inthe chain conveyor illustrated in Figs. 6 and 8. The longitudinallyextending members 10 extend to the left, as viewed in Fig. 1, beyond theend of the last pair of uprights 16 and on such members 10 or several ofthem are secured spaced bearing members 160, these bearings being inalinement with each other and rotatably mounted therein is a shaft .161.Secured to the shaft 161 adjacent each of the bearing members 160 aresprocket wheels 162. Mounted at the top of the channel beam 14 is abearing member 163 in which is rotatably mounted a shaft 164 arrangedparallel to the shaft 161. This shaft 164 extends laterally outward fromthe bearing member 163 and such laterally extending end is provided withsprocket wheels 165 that are in alinement with the sprocket wheels 162.Over the sprocket wheels 162 and 165 run a pair of sprocket chains 166,these sprocket chains being tied together by transversely arrangedplates or'carriers 167 and in which plates or carriers the brick 87 areplaced for delivery to the chain conveyor illustrated in Fig. 8. On oneend of the shaft 1,7eaea2 164 is secured a sprocket 168 that is inalinement with a sprocket 169 secured to the drive- 171 has one end *ofits energizing. winding connected by conductor 174 to the returnconductor 59 which leads-back to the conducting wire 42. The other endof the energizing winding is connected by conductor 175 to a bindingpost 17 6 on the switchboard 52 and this binding post 176 is connectedby conductor 177 to an arcuate contact plate 178, which arcuate plate isadapted to be engaged by the arm 53 so as to close the energizingcircuit for the motor 171. An operator will stand at the lower end ofthe conveyor comprised of the sprocket chains 166 and containers 167 andwill place the .brick 87 in such containersso asto have'such'brick 87delivered 2.3 to the chain conveyor shown in Fig. 8 in the proper mannerand an operator also will set the pivoted plate 157-. associated withthe transverse members 155 whenever it is necessary to provide brick forthe headercourse so an as to leave the stretcher portions thereof asspaced apart from each other so as to provide a rectangular frame areuprights 17 7 and 17 8,

these members being tied together intermediate their ends by bars 179.Also at the top ends ofthe uprights 177 and 178 is formed a .4rectangular framework indicated generally by the reference numeral 180.Secured in position within the rectangular framework composed'of members177 and 178 is a mortar holding tank 181 within which is rotatablymounted a stirring device 182. This stirring device is provided at itstop end with a bevel pinion 183 which meshes with and is driven by abevel pinion 184 secured to a shaft 185 that is rotatably mounted inbearings 186 on the top of the rectangular frame 180. Also on the top ofthe rectangular frame 180 and at one side thereof is rotatably mounted ashaft 187, such'shaft being parallel to the shaft 185 and the shaft 187and 185 are 5 provided with alined sprockets, over which runs a sprocketchain 188 and by means of which power is transmitted from the shaft 187to the shaft 185 to thereby rotate the mixer 182. Also on the shaft187is secured a sprocket wheel that is in alinement with the sprocket wheelon the drive shaft 187 of a motor 190, such motor being mounted on abracket 191 secured to the upri hts 177. .Overthe sprockets on theshafts 187 and 189 runs avsprocket chain 192 and by means of which poweristransmitted from the motor 190 to the shaft 187. .On the shaft 187'.is mounted a drum 193 over which runs a chain bucket conveyor 194. Thischain bucket con.- veyor 194 is endless and the lower end extends intoamortar, box 195 mounted on-a pair' of transverse members 11, a drum(not. shown) being located in the mortar box 195 for engaging with thec'hainbucket conveyor 194. The motor 190 has one end of its energizingwind ing connected by conductor 196 with the return wire 59 abovereferred to and the other end of the energizing winding of such motor isconnected by conductor 197 to a binding post 198 on the switchboard 52.The binding post 198 is connected by conductor 199 to an arcuate contactplate 200, and such arcuate contact plate is adapted to be engaged bythe switch arm 53. Therefore, when the arm 53 is in engagement with thearcuate contact plate 200, the energizing circuit for the mortar motor190 is closed and the chain bucket conveyor 194 operated to move mortarcontained in the mortar box 195 upwardly and deposited in the mortarholder 181. To the lower end of the mortar holder 181 is connected oneend of a delivery pipe 201 and the other end of this delivery pipe isassociated with a delivery nozzle or chute 202 mounted on the framework89. Secured to the spaced beams 13 beneath one of the plates 15 is arunaway 203, and in this runway is mounted a Wheeled carriage 204.Suspended from the wheeled carriage 204 is a framework 205 provided withrolls 206 under and over which runs the delivery pipe 201, as clearlyshown in Fig. 1. To one end of the wheeled carriage 204 is connected oneend of a cable 207, and this cable passes over a roller or sheave 208rotatably mounted'at one end of the runway 203. This cable 207 passesover the roller or sheave 208 at one end of the runway 203 and over aroller or sheave 209 at theother end of such runway 203. From thence thecable 207 extends downwardly and its lower end is secured to a drum 210on the shaft 77. To the other end of the wheeled carriage 204 is securedone end of a cable 211 and this cable extends over a roller mounted inaxial alinement with the roller or sheave 209 and from such roller orsheave the cable 211 extends downwardly and has its lower end secured toa drum 212 secured to the shaft 7 7. The cables 207 and 211 are soconnected to the drums 210 and 212 that when one of them, as the cable207, is being wound up on this drum 210, the other cable 211 is beingunwound from its drum 212. If we assume the parts to be in the positionshown in Fig. 1, that is with the frame 73 in its extreme lefthandposition, then the wheeled carriage 204 supporting the intermediateportion of the delivery pipe 201 will be in its extreme left-handposition, so that when the operator, by moving the switch arm 53 toclose a circuit for the motor 79 at the arcuate member 105, the shaft 77will be rotated to move the rectan ar framework 73 and associated artsto t e right, as viewed in Fig. 1 and W1 l also move the wheeledcarria204 to the ri ht as shown in said figure.

ured to the s ide members above the upper reach of the conveyorillustrated in Figs. 10 and 11 by straps 215 are plates 216 the distancebetween such plates being equal to the width of the wheel composed ofthe bricks 87, and such members 216, therefore, act as a guide for thebricks 87 as they are moved to the right on the upper reach of theconveyor above referred to.

In order that I may operate the motor 171 independently of the controlarm 63 on the switchboard 52, I have arranged a switch 220, a contact221 of which isconnected by conductor 222 to one end of'the energizingwinding of the motor 171. The switch blade 223 of such switch 220 isconnected by conductor- 224 to the conductor 50. Also, it is desirableto provide means for operating the motor 190 independentl of the controlmeans shown on the switc board 52, and for this rpose I have provided aswitch 225, the contact226 of which is connected by conductor 227, toone end of the energizing winding of the motor 190 and the switch blade228 of which is connected by conductor 229 to the conductor 50. V

The operation of my device is as follows, it being assumed that thedevice has been constructed and the parts arranged as above describedand with the apparatus in position parallel to the position in which'itis desired to build a well. On this assumption, the horizontallyarranged framework composed of the members 19, 21 and '69 is in itslowest position, mortar'is mixed and in the mortar box 195 and an orator is in position to load bricks into t e containers 167 on theendless conveyor shown at the left of Fig. 1. Also, the rectangularframework 73 with everything associated therewith is assumed to be inits extreme left hand position with respect to Fig; 1, that is, with theupper or receiving end of the angularly disposed member 100 at thedelivery end of the chain conveyor shown in Fig. 152. The operator will,therefore, bring the switch arm 53 into engagement with the arcuatecontact member 54, closing the energizing circuit for the motor 39 so asto cause an upward movement of the horizontally arranged framework abovereferred to. and when such framework has reached a sufiicient highposition above the base of the wall, the operator will move the switcharm 53 off the arcuate contact member 54 ready to go into engagementwith the arcuate contact members 105, 136, and 178. The operator willthen bring the switch blade 223 into engagement with the contact 221 toclose the energizing circuit for the motor 171, and begins to pile brickin the proper relation in the containers 167 on the conveyor shown atthe left of Fig.1 1. This movement of the conveyor and t e feedinoperation will continue until the brick 8 have been fed off the conveyoronto the device shown in Fi 8 and until the inclined member 100 is loaed with the brick 87. The operator will now operate the clamp 101 so asto clamp the lowermost set of bricks on the inclined member 100 and willbring the switch arms 53 into engagement with the arcuate contactmembers 105, 136, and 178 respectively, throwin into operationsimultaneousl the motors 9, 107 and 171 respectively. hile such motorsare operating, the operator will move the switch blade 223 out ofengagement with the contact 221. The motor 79 operating, the cable 75will be wound on the drum 78 and the rectangular framework 73 with allparts associated therewith will be moved to the right, as shown in Figs.1, 6 and 7. The motor 107 will operate to rotate the drum 113 to feedthe endless sprocket chains 95 to the right of'such figures and themotor 171 will operate to continue the motion of the conveyor mechanismshown at the left of Fig. 1. As the upper reach of the endless chains 95and transverse members 96 continues, the bricks 87 will be fed off thechain conveyer shown in Fig. 8, and whenthe extreme right-hand ositionhas been attained by the rectanguar framework 73 and associated parts,the upper reach of the endless chain conve ors 95 and transverse members96 will be led with a layer of brick 87 corresponding, if

it is the first course for the wall, to a header course, as shown forexam le in Fi 6. As soon as the rectangular ramewor 73 has reached itsextreme right-hand osition, as shown in Fig. 6, the operator wi 1 movethe switch arm 53 off the arcuate contacts 105, 136 and 178 respectivelthereb stopping the motors 79, 107, an 171 an all parts are brought to aposition of rest. The operator now by bringing the switch blade 228into'engagement wit the contact 226 will close an energizing circuit forthe mortar motor 190, which thereby causes operation of the bucketconveyor 194 to lift mortar from the mortar box 195 and deposit the sameinto the mortar container 181 located at the top of the frameworkcomposed of the members 177 and 178. The operation of the motor 190 willnot only cause the operation of the bucket conveyor 194 but will cause arotary movement to take place on the part of the stirring apparatus 182in themortar container 181 and such mortar will be fed throu h theconduit 201 and into and out of the elivery pipe or chute 202 which islocated to the left of the delivery end of the inclined memberlOO. Assoon as the mortar beginsto flow through the chute 202, the operatorwill operate the lever 126 to bring the pawl 122 into engagement withthe ratchet 131 to lock the shaft 117 against rotary movement and willbring the switch arm 53 into engagement with the arcuate contact members140 and 200 simultaneously, to thereby cause the simultaneous operationof the motor 107 in a reverse direction to What itwas operated formerlyand will cause the continued operation of the mortar motor 190. Theoperator at this point releases the switch blade 228 from the contact226. Also the operator will release the clamping member 101 from thelowermost brick on the inclinedmember 100. The motor 107 operating inthe reverse direction will rotate the shaft in a counter-clockwisedirection and will begin to pull the lower reach of the chain conveyors95 and transverse members to the left, as shown in Figs. 6 and 7, andthe brick 87 on the inclined member 100 and on the upper reach of theendless chain conveyors'95 and 96 will be deposited on the bed of mortarthat is spread on the base of the wall from the chute 202. When theframe 73 with the parts associated therewith has reached its extremeleft-hand position again, the operator operates the cam 101 to clamp theremaining brick 87 in position on the inclined member 100 and moves theswitch arm 53 off the arcuate contact members 140 and 200, therebybringing the entire apparatus into a position of rest. This completesthe sequence of operations of laying a course of brlck in the wall andis repeated for each layer.

Should a wider wall be desired the rectangular frame 73 is replaced by awider rectangular frame and associated parts by moving outward the slide66 carrying the members 69 and 70 and the tracks 72. Also if it isnecessary to arrange for openings in the wall to be built, the operator,when brick is led up to the right-hand edge of the openin as viewed inFig. 1, will stop the ma chine, operate the clamp 101 and the entireapparatus may be moved by any convenient means (not shown) to the left,as viewed in Fig. 1 until the left-hand edge of the desired opening isreached, when the laying operation may be again started. The length ofthe wall to be laid will depend entirely upon the length of the machine,although it is desirable to make such machine in moderate size units forconvenience in handling, particularly where openings in such wall isdesired. It is obvious also that although the machine has been describedin considerable detail, that I am not to be limited to the exact detailsof construction shown other than as pointed out in the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new isz 1. In abrick layin machine, the combination of a framewor a second framework 2.In an improved brick laying machine V the combination of a framework, asecond framework slidably mounted thereon and movable vertically withrespect thereto, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement on saidsecond framework, an endless conveyor mounted in the second frameworkand associated with the carriage, and means for maintaining the upperreach of the endless conveyor stationary during the reciproeatingmovement of the carriage in one direction only.

3. In a brick laying machine, the combination of a framework, a secondframework slidably mounted thereon and movable vertically with respectthereto, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement in said secondframework, an endless conveyor mounted in said second framework andassociated with the carriage, means for delivering brick to the upperreach of said endless conveyor, means for moving the upper reach of saidendless conveyor during the movement of the carriage in one direction onthe second framework, and means for maintaining the upper reach of saidconveyor stationary during the movement of the carriage in the otherdirection and during the delivery of brick from the endless conveyor tothe carriage.

p 4. In a brick laying machine, the combination of a framework, a secondframework slidably mounted thereon and movable vertically with respectthereto, a carriage mounted for reciprocating movement in the secondframework, said carriage being rovided with an inclined receiving platorm and a presser roller at the delivery end thereof, a mortar receivingchute associated with the carriage, means for moving said carriage FRANKC. LAYER.

